Wednesday, October 26, 2011

A commemoration will take place this Sunday to remember all those Irish Republicans who died on Hunger-strike, main speakers will be Séanna Walsh from Belfast who was on the 'Blanket-Protest' in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh and at one stage was a cell mate of Bobby Sands, & Malachy McCreesh a brother of Ray who died on Hunger-strike in 1981. Assembly point for the commemoration is Connolly Hall at 2pm from where local flute band the MacCurtain/MacSwiney & the Carrick-on-Suir flute band from Tipperary will lead the parade to the National Monument on the Grand Parade. The event is organised by the Phoenix Historical Society, spokesperson for the Society Cllr Mick Nugent said:

'Every year in October Cork Republicans gather in St.Finbarr's cemetery to remember all those patriots who gave their lives on Hunger-strike, in all 22 men died from 1917-1981, including five from Cork, Terence MacSwiney, Joe Murphy, Michael Fitzgerald, Dinny Barry & Andy O'Sullivan. This been the 30th anniversary of the Hunger-Strike in Long Kesh we felt it was appropriate to have an event in the city centre and follow the route solidarity marches took place in Cork in 1981. I would invite people who took part in those marches in 1981 and all those who cherish the memory of those who gave their lives for Irish freedom to join with us on Sunday, we will have speech's, readings and some music at the National Monument so I hope members of the public will come out and mark the anniversary.'

Speaking after it emerged last night that Cork City Council is to spend €20,000 to rent an abstract sculpture called the “Cow in a Tree” for fifteen weeks over Christmas, Cllr Chris O’Leary said there needed to be more accountability in how the council spent money.

Cllr O’Leary said:“Many people in Cork – particularly those waiting on housing repairs from the council or for road resurfacing or traffic-calming measures in their estates – will wonder why the council is spending €20,000 to hire a piece of sculpture.”“Decisions like this need more scrutiny and those who make them should be held accountable to the elected members. I sit on the council’s Arts Committee but the proposal to pay out for the “Cow in a Tree” sculpture was never brought before us for discussion.”“The council is currently paying bonuses worth thousands of euro to the outgoing City Manager. I wonder will those responsible for this latest waste of public funds in time be awarded similar bonuses?”“We need more accountability and transparency in relation to the disposal of public funds. In light of the current proposal going before the electorate to give Oireachtas Committees increased powers of investigation, I wonder should such an investigation be called into the repeated and scandalous waste of public money by Cork City Council, from the Sky Garden to the Cow in a Tree?”For further information or comment contact Cllr Chris O’Leary @ 087-2794307

Monday, October 17, 2011

Martin McGuinness will be in Cork Tuesday evening to address a major rally at the Gresham Metropole Hotel, as the presidential election campaign enters its final weeks.

The rally is part of a three-day tour of Munster which will take in Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary. The event is due to begin at 7.30 and, alongside Martin McGuinness, will feature a number of invited guests. Guest speakers will include Cork GAA legend Teddy McCarthy, while music will be provided by a variety of artists. Inviting members of the public to attend, campaign director Jonathan O’Brien TD said: “This is a crucial election in charting the future of Ireland and Martin McGuinness offers people a real alternative. On Tuesday night people in Cork will have the chance to meet Martin and hear his message directly.” “Throughout the campaign we have been getting a tremendous reception on the doors and I anticipate a capacity turnout at the rally.” For further information or comment contact Deputy Jonathan O’Brien @ 086-0274142 or Cllr Chris O’Leary @ 087-2794307

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Sinn Féin councillor Chris O’Lerary has condemned the proposed closure of the A&E Unit at the South Infirmary Hospital and said further concentration of services on just two hospital campuses in the city would be bad for patients and communities.

Cllr O’Leary said: “The announcement that the HSE is to close the Accident and Emergency Unit at the South Infirmary and transfer the service to another hospital will cause anger and concern among residents across the south east of the city.” “While this had been proposed before, it was put on the back burner by the previous government after public opposition. Members of the current administration had stated before the election they would retain services at the South Infirmary if elected. They have now reneged on these pledges.” “The South Infirmary serves a huge catchment area in the South East of the city, from Blackrock through Douglas and on to Carrigaline and the Lower Harbour. This area will now be left without a local A&E.” “Following the transfer of services from St Mary’s Orthopaedic Hospital to the Mercy, today’s announcement represents a further concentration of services on just two city centre hospitals. Both have limited space and there are issues with parking and access. People are entitled to ask whether the number of A&E beds currently available at the South Infirmary will be retained at the new site if the transfer of service goes ahead.” “Further concentration of hospital services in the city is good neither for patients nor communities. This decision is a further example of the Fine Gael-Labour government following the same failed policies as Fianna Fáil.” For further information or comment contact Cllr Chris O’Leary @ 087-2794307

Sinn Féin councillor Chris O’Leary has called on Jerry Buttimer, as chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health, to clarify his position on the proposed closure of the A&E Unit at the South Infirmary Hospital.

Cllr O’Leary said:“As chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, Jerry Buttimer TD should have his finger on the pulse as regards the delivery of health services in Cork.”“I think his constituents, who now face the loss of the Accident and Emergency Unit at the South Infirmary Hospital, have the right to know how long he has been aware of the impending closure and why he has kept silent about it.”“They might also ask whether he intends to follow the honourable course taken by his predecessor as Chair of the Committee, Denis Naughten TD, who resigned from Fine Gael in protest at the withdrawal of A&E services from Roscommon Hospital.” For further information or comment contact Cllr Chris O’Leary @ 087-2794307

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Martin McGuinness will address a major rally at the Gresham Hotel in Cork next Tuesday. The event will start at 7.30.

Director of the Cork4McGuinness campaign Jonathan O’Brien TD said:

“I want to invite members of the public as well as representatives of trade unions, business, community and civic organisation to Tuesday’s rally.”

“It is an opportunity to meet Martin McGuinness and hear at first hand his vision for the presidency and for our country’s future.”

“Ireland is at a crossroads. This election offers us the opportunity to chart a new course, the start the process of rebuilding our economy and regaining our confidence as a nation.”

“As President, Martin McGuinness will be a jobs ambassador for Ireland, using his unparalleled contacts around the globe and particularly in the US to attract investment. He will defend Ireland’s sovereignty and continue the work of building peace and national reconciliation which he has undertaken as Deputy First Minister.”